Obtain comparable quotations from suppliers

Still regarding the construction service description: Stiftung Warentest offers a free PDF for download that provides a list where a part of the "395 additional questions" mentioned by Benutzer200 is listed. For this, simply go to the main page of Stiftung Warentest, insert a slash in the address bar, and type "praxismappe-baubeschreibung". That already amounts to 84 pages in the PDF. I went through a good portion of it with my house provider before signing the contract. He really had to sweat :)

If the GU suits you: openly say that you want to decide only after the planning. Ask what he charges for the planning if it ends afterwards. Do and pay.

Alternatively, a freelance architect. 5 times as expensive and catastrophically annoying – result probably more individual and nicer.

GD

Regarding the construction service description: Stiftung Warentest offers a free PDF for download, which provides a list where some of the "395 additional questions" mentioned by Benutzer200 are listed. Just go to the main page of Stiftung Warentest, insert a slash in the address bar, and type "praxismappe-baubeschreibung". That is already 84 pages in the PDF. I went through a good part of it with my house provider before signing the contract. He really had to sweat :)

Thank you for your tip. Unfortunately, I could not find a free PDF file on this page. For at least 19.95, you can download a PDF...

It works for me. The main page of Stiftung Warentest consists of only 4 letters. So: The four letters, dot, then the domain ending, slash and "praxismappe-baubeschreibung". Maybe you made a typo? Maybe someone can confirm that it works for him/her? Unfortunately, the link cannot be found via the largest search provider. But it is in the book mentioned by the same name, from which I have benefited a lot.

I understand both sides. Two things I have learned from signing a decision, either with us or friends/acquaintances: Phone instead of email. Call, briefly describe your plan, and ask for a personal conversation. Don’t be surprised if the same request by email simply goes unanswered. Address concerns, wishes, and constructive discussion needs openly. As I understand you, you have a good gut feeling about the general contractor and you know what you want in your head. Put it all on paper and show it here. With the feedback, revise the plans, then go to the general contractor and ask how much the translation into a “real” floor plan for an offer costs and whether this service is credited back if you place an order. Why should static calculations be done at this stage? If the gut feeling continues to be confirmed, you can still consider which gimmicks you can cut and still continue working with the general contractor. This shows your good will, he will thus take you seriously as potential builders, and the collaboration works on equal footing.

If you can answer all of this yourself (and the other 395 questions and positions), then you can of course inquire with different companies and get a qualified answer.

Exactly: and if you cannot answer it, you get all sorts of different answers from the various companies and spend 395 days on the table, with which you still try to compare them ;-)